Shaker dispenser container and method



Feb. 10, 1970 L. A. FATTORI I 3,494,515

SHAKER DISPENSER CONTAINER AND METHOD Filed July 25, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

LAZZARO A. FATTORI ATTORNEYS Feb. 10, I FIATTOR| I I SHAKER DISPENSER CONTAINER AND METHOD Filed July 25, 1968 2 Shgets-S'neet 2 Y 7 "Tl I 12 I q IN VENT OR.

LAZZARO A. FATTORII BY.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,494,515 SHAKER DISPENSER CONTAINER AND METHOD Lazzaro A. Fattori, 84 Rose Ave., Weozlclitt Lake, NJ. 07675 Filed July 25, 1968, Ser. No. 747,724 Int. Cl. 1365a 47/00; 1567b 3/00 U.S. Cl. 222-548 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An inner dome shaped closure member is permanently attached to an open end of a container which is then filled with granular contents through a polar opening in the inner member. An outer dome shaped closure member, having engagement means for the polar opening, is snapped onto the inner dome member to complete and close the container. Both dome members have a plurality of registering small shaker openings, the outer member being axially rotatable to close the shaker openings. Abutment surfaces of the inner and outer closure members have circular tongue and groove interengagement as leak proofing for the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The invention relates to dispenser containers and more particularly is directed to a shaker top container construction having a permanently attached perforated cover mounted for selective opening and closing by rotation into and out of register with a perforated inner member and to the method of assembling and filling such container.

Description of the prior art A need has been found, particularly in the cosmetic field in packaging bath powder and the like, for a nonrefillable shaker top dispenser container which is molded of plastic, is decorative, sift-proof, and easy to fill and close at a location remote from the site of container manufacture and without costly equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the objects of the invention is to provide a shaker top dispenser container construction and method of assembling and filling such container which meet the needs as hereinbefore stated. The container shall comprise few and simple parts which are easy to assemble and relatively inexpensive to manufacture in quantity production of resinous plastic material by injection molding. The shaker top comprises a pair of nesting dome members having registering shaker openings. An inner dome member of the pair has a polar opening and coaxial circular grooves formed on the outer surface thereof. The outer dome member is formed with an inwardly projecting annular flange which snaps into the polar opening permanently mounting the outer dome member on the inner dome member for polar axial rotation thereon, and has coaxial circular tonques which engage the circular grooves of the inner dome member for sift-proofing the shaker top. The dome members are also each formed with an element of an interengaging means which limits the rotation of the outer dome member on the inner dome member between a shaker hole registering open position and a non-registering closed position and provides a snugness therebetween to prevent accidental opening or closing.

The method comprises the molding of three container parts, namely, an open top container member and the two dome members, bonding the inner dome member 3,494,515 Patented Feb. 10, 1970 to the open top of the container member to provide a dome topped container having a polar opening, filling the dome topped container through the polar opening, aligning the outer dome member both axially and azimuthally with respect to the inner dome member, and pressing the outer dome member onto the inner dome member for permanent snap-in engagement of the annular flange in the polar opening whereby the outer dome member closes the polar opening and is rotated to the nonregistering closed position of the shaker openings, completing the filled shaker top dispenser container for boxing and distribution to the consumer.

The container parts shall be moldable in a high impact plastic to render a virtually unbreakable container even when dropped on a tile bathroom floor and may be made in a wide variety of decorator colors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational view of a shaker top dispenser container embodying the invention showing the three molded pieces, part being broken away to show structural details.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the shaker top dispenser container shown in FIG. 1 completely assembled and filled, the top being in closed position and parts shown in section substantially on line 2-2 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the shaker top dispenser container shown in FIG. 2 with parts broken away to show the inner dome member construction.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 but with the top rotated to the open position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the interior surface of the outer dome member as seen on line 66 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an inner dome member positioned on the container member preparatory to the bonding step of the method embodying the invention, a part of the ultrasonic sealing equipment being indicated in broken lines.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a modified shaker top dispenser container, and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the container shown in FIG. 8, parts being shown in section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring in detail to the drawings, 10 denotes an assembled shaker top dispenser container filled with a granular or powdered contents P and fitted with a closable shaker top comprising a pair of nesting inner and outer dome members 11 and 15, respectively, mounted as a cover for a container member 20.

As seen in FIG. 1, container 10 may be molded as a three-piece structure of any suitable plastic material preferably of high impact properties, such as, high impact styrene, linear polyethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and the like. Container member 20 may be of any de sired shape, herein shown to substantially be hemispherical providing a container of spherical design when assembled with the shaker top, and formed with a thickened top rabbet edge having an exterior flange 21 upstanding from an interior shoulder 22. A circular base flange 23 extends downwardly from a flattened polar portion for supporting container member 20 on a horizontal surface in upright position.

Inner dome member 11 may be initially molded with a beaded edge 11a sized to seat on interior shoulder 22 in abutment with exterior flange 21 for permanent attachment to container member 20 in the manner hereinafter more fully described. Concentric with polar axis x-x, a polar opening 11b is formed in inner dome member 11 and is surrounded by concentric upper and lower circular steps 12 and 13, respectively. Spaced shaker holes or openings 110 are arranged in a circle located on upper step 12 which disposes the axes of holes 110 in substantially parallel relation to polar axis xx as is clear from FIG. 5. An element of a snap-in rotary interconnection between inner dome member 11 and outer dome member 15 upstands from upper step 12 as a peripheral flange 12a of polar opening 11b, flange 12a being formed with an inwardly and downwardly sloping or beveled interior surface 12b bordering an undercut interior shoulder 12c therebeneath. Upper and lower steps 12 and 13 form the groove elements of a pair of tongue and groove seals which are hereinafter more fully described.

The interior surface of outer dome member 15 is formed with a downwardly projecting circular flange 16 serving as the companion element of the snap-in rotary interconnection between dome members 11 and 15 and having a radially outwardly extending shoulder 160 for snapping under and locking against undercut shoulder 120 of inner dome member peripheral flange 12a. A beveled surface 16b adjacent shoulder 160 is seen in FIG. to slope substantially parallel to beveled surface 12b facilitating snap-in engagement as hereinafter more fully described. An inwardly projecting circular step 17 registers with upper step 12 of inner dome member 11 and is spaced from flange 16 to provide a groove seating peripheral flange 11b therebetween. Spaced shaker holes or openings 15c extend through step 17 in register with holes 110 and have axes substantially parallel thereto as is clear from FIGS. 5 and 6. A lower circular flange 18 has its side wall engaging the riser surface 13a of lower step 13 of inner dome member 11.

Suitable means to control the rotation of outer dome member 15 on inner dome member 11 between a shaker hole open or registering position and a closed or nonregistering position is also incorporated in the structure of domes 11 and 15. To this end, a pair of diametrically positioned recesses 14 are provided in lower step 13 into which a pair of fins 19, projecting from the interior surface of dome member 15, extend. Recesses 14 are positioned with respect to shaker holes 11c, and fins 19 are positioned with respect to shaker holes 15c so that holes 110 and 150 are in register when fins 19 abut one of the end walls 14a of each recess 14 and are out of register when the fins 19 abut the opposite end walls 14a thereof. The bottom of each recess 14 is provided with a raised boss 14b spaced from each end wall 14 a distance slightly in excess of the thickness of fins 19. The bottom edge 19a: of each fin 19 engages and rides on boss 14b when outer dome member 15 is being rotated between open and closed positions. This engagement prevents accidental rotation between the open and closed positions by urging outer dome member 15 upwardly to exert pressure on the rotary interconnection and create a friction drag which must be overcome by the torque applied to outer dome member 15.

A suitable index for azimuthally aligning outer dome member 15 with inner dome member 11 for proper as sembly may be provided on the exterior surface of dome member 15, as for example, integrally formed diametrically disposed raised lines 15a which align with fins 19.

The invention is readily adaptable to containers of a wide variety of shapes. A cylindrical container will utilize a circular top rabbet edge of a cylindrical container member instead of the hemispherical container member 20. Where the top opening of the container member is desired to be larger than the diameter of the dome members 11 and 15, beaded edge 11a is merely enlarged to a laterally extending flange which conforms to the top opening. Likewise such flange may be made of any peripheral shape to fit container members having prismatic or elliptical configurations.

Thus, a modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 as an assembled and filled shaker top dispenser container 30 having a container member 40 of a square configuration. Inner and outer dome members 31 and 35 are substantially identical in construction to dome members 11 and 15, respectively, of container 10 but inner dome member 31 has the beaded edge extended into flange 31a which has a square periphery conforming to the top of container member 40, the latter having a thickened top rabbet edge for seating flange 31a thereon prior to permanent attachment therebetween.

The improved method embodying the invention contemplates the steps of first molding three separate pieces, such as, an open top container member 20 and a pair :of nestable dome members 11 and 15, and then providing an intermediate fillable vessel by permanently attaching the inner dome member 11 to container member 20 so that polar opening 11b is accessible for filling therethrough. This permanent attachment may be suitably accomplished by cementing the edges together, or by bonding as illustrated in FIG. 7, by positioning beaded edge 11a on shoulder 22 and then applying thereto mandrel M of an ultrasonic sealing device in the well understood manner. The intermediate vessel so formed and the outer dome member 15 may then be packed for bulk shipment to a remote site where filling and completion of assembly of the shaker top container may be performed.

Any suitable filling device may be used for delivering a measured quantity of granular or powdered material, such as scented bath powder, through polar opening 11b. Thereafter outer dome member 15 may be manually or otherwise brought into proper azimuthal relation with inner dome member 11 by aligning index lines 15a to parallel the common diameter through recesses 14. After bringing the dome members 11 and 15 into axial alignment, the application of downward pressure enables beveled surface 16b of circular flange 16 to slide on beveled surface 12b of peripheral flange 12a so that circular flange 16 on flexing slightly enters polar opening 11b and shoulder 16c snaps into engagement beneath undercut shoulder 12c. Outer dome member 15, in one relatively simple operation, is permanently mounted in position for rotation limited by fins 19 in recesses 14, thus completing container 10. Outer dome member 15 may then be rotated fully clockwise to the shaker hole closed position as seen in FIG. 3 and filled container 10 is ready for boxing and shipping.

In use, application of counter-clockwise torque to outer dome member 15 overcomes the friction created by the engagement of the bottom edges 19a of fins 19 in sliding over raised bosses 14a so that outer dome member 15 readily snaps into and is retained in open position for dispensing the contents P through aligned shaker holes 110, 15c and after use is snapped back by clockwise rotation to the closed position.

While the invention contemplates the possible elimination of lower circular step 13 from inner dome member 11 and its mating lower circular flange 18 from outer dome member 15, except for that portion required for diametric recesses 14 and their coating fins 19, it has been found that the engagement between flange 18 and lower circular step 13 serves as a seal against powder sifting through shaker holes 110, between the dome members 11 and 15, and out at the bottom of dome member 15. The abutment surfaces of upper circular steps 12 and 17 lying in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation fit snugly to aid in preventing powder sifting between shaker holes and when outer dome member 15 is in closed position.

The improved shaker dispenser container constructions and method of making, filling and closing thereof herein disclosed are seen to achieve the several objects of the invention and to be well adapted to meet conditions of practical use. As various possible embodiments might be to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A container fitted with a shaker top dispenser comprising an inner dome member and a nesting outer dome member, said inner dome member having a polar opening which is of a size substantially larger than said shaker holes to permit a charge of material to be readily introduced into the container, said outer dome member forming a permanent closure for said polar opening and having shaker holes located to register with said inner dome member shaker holes when the outer dome member is in an open predetermined azimuthal position, snap-in means integrally formed with said inner and outer dome members permanently retaining said outer dome member on said inner dome member for relative rotation therebetween from said open predetermined azimuthal position wherein the shaker holes of the respective dome members are out of register.

2. The container defined in claim 1 in which said snapin means includes an inwardly projecting annular flange which snaps into and engages an undercut shoulder formed in said polar opening.

3. The container defined in claim 1 in which a circular step concentric with said polar opening is formed in said inner dome member, said shaker holes of the latter being located on said step and having axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotation, said outer dome member having an inwardly projecting circular step fitting into said inner dome member step, said shaker holes of the outer dome member being located on said step of the latter and having axes substantially aligned with said inner dome member shaker hole axes.

4. The container defined in claim 3 in which a second concentric circular step is formed in said inner dome member located in an equatorial direction beyond said first mentioned step, and a circular flange extending from the interior surface of the outer dome member to engage said second step serving as a powder sift-proofing means.

5. The container defined in claim 1 in which rotation limiting means are integrally formed with the inner and outer dome members defining at opposite extremes thereof said predetermined shaker hole open and closed positions.

6. The container defined in claim 5 in which said rotation limiting means includes a pair of diametrically positioned recesses in the inner dome member each having opposite end walls, a pair of diametric fins projecting from the interior surface of the outer dome member, the recesses and fins being respectively positioned in relation to the shaker holes so that register is effected when the fins abut one pair of end walls and a staggering is effected when the fins abut the other pair of end Walls.

7. The container defined in claim 5, in which said rotation limiting means includes means for preventing accidental rotation between said open and closed positions.

8. The container defined in claim 7 in which said accidental rotation prevention means includes a raised boss formed on the bottom of each of said recesses spaced from each of said end walls for engaging the bottom edge of each of said fins.

9. The container defined in claim 1 in which said inner dome member is attached to a container member terminating at the upper end thereof in a non-circular configuration having a major diameter larger than the diameter at the base portion of the inner dome member, the latter being integrally formed with a radial flange having a periphery conforming to said non-circular configuration.

10. A method of assembling a dispenser container, having an open top, with a pair of nestable inner and outer dome members, the inner dome member of which has a polar opening through which a granulated material is adapted to be charged, said method comprising mount ing the inner dome member on the container member to form an intermediate fillable vessel, sealing the inner dome member to said container, then filling the container through said polar opening with said granular material, and bringing the outer dome member into azimuthal and axial alignment with the inner dome member and snapping the dome members together by means of interengageable members formed on the inner and outer dome members to permanently mount the outer dome member on the inner dome member.

11. The method defined in claim 10, in which said sealing is efiected by ultrasonic bonding.

12. A container fitted with a shaker top dispenser comprising an inner dome member and a nesting outer dome member, said inner dome member having a polar opening and a plurality of shaker holes spaced around said polar opening, said outer dome member forming a closure for said polar opening and having shaker holes located to register with said inner dome member shaker holes when the outer dome member is in an open predetermined azimuthal position, snap-in means integrally formed with said inner and outer dome members permanently retaining said outer dome member on said inner dome member for relative rotation therebetween from said open predetermined azimuthal position to a closed predetermined azimuthal position wherein the shaker holes of the respective dome members are out of register, said snap-in means including an inwardly projecting annular flange which snaps into and engages an undercut shoulder formed in said polar opening.

13. The container defined in claim 12, in which a circular step concentric with said polar opening is formed in said inner dome member, said shaker holes of the latter being located on said step and having axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotation, said outer dome member having an inwardly projecting circular step fitting into said inner dome member step, said shaker holes of the outer dome member being located on said step of the latter and having axes substantially aligned with said inner dome member shaker hole axes.

14. The container defined in claim 13, in which a second concentric circular step is formed in said inner dome member located in an equatorial direction beyond said first mentioned step, and a circular flange extending from the interior surface of the outer dome member to engage said second step serving as a powder sift-proofing means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,092,137 9/1937 Punte 222-548 2,943,771 7/1960 Driscoll 222548 X 2,961,133 11/1960 Ankney 222548 3,058,630 10/1962 Abt 222548 STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT oFElcE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,494,515 February 10, 1970 Lazzaro A. Fattori It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 8, before "which" insert and a plurality of shaker holes spaced around said polar opening Signed and sealed this 27th day of October 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR. 

